Metropolitan Veniamin: lofty feeling of patriotism is not so easy to cultivate

The truth is obvious for genuine Christian patriotism that a real soldier is not the one who managed to win while defending the Motherland, but who is ready to share a piece of bread with the defeated enemy, to demonstrate nobility – as stated by Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, at today’s expanded meeting of the Presidium of the Council of the Republic on the Public-State Partnership in Preserving Spiritual and Moral Values of Modern Society topic

“Patriotism is a lofty feeling, which is not easy to cultivate. Much effort and time is needed for this,” Metropolitan Veniamin said. “Relevant courses can be introduced in schools and universities, but they will not be enough if the educational process and the environment in which a young person lives and develops are not permeated with the right meanings and good examples. A young soul will definitely respond to such values as honesty, dedication, courage and nobility, if they take the understandable and emotionally comprehendible form. In this regard, the sphere of high and people’s culture is of great importance.”

According to the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, a huge number of wonderful events of various kinds are held in the country, and it is important to pay attention not only to the novelty or an aesthetic side of a particular cultural phenomenon.

“Everything that is being done in this area should be permeated with high moral values,” the Metropolitan believes. “It seems that the Public Council on Morality, which has recently resumed its activities upon the initiative of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the Writers' Union, should play an important role in this regard. I hope for its active support by government agencies, as well as local authorities, since their assistance will greatly contribute to the implementation of its initiatives.”